Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips
By Gerald Gore

Well it is that time of the year again and if your little ones are anything like mine, they are probably getting pretty excited about carving pumpkins. Pumpkin carving is a very entertaining hobby but as with most hobbies you need to take precautions so that you and your little ones have a fun and safe experience.

Here are a few recommended safety tips so that everyone has a happy and fun filled Halloween.

Artificial Lights

Looking for a safe and secure way to light your pumpkin? Artificial lights make great alternatives for candles. Wal-Mart and many other great stores have inexpensive battery operated lights that are designed specifically for pumpkins. If you are unable to find the battery operated lights there are also pumpkin lights out there that you can plug into a wall. Just cut a notch out of the back of the pumpkin that allows you to run the electrical cord to the wall.

Sharp tools safety

We all probably already know that sharp tools like saws and knives are needed to carve pumpkins and that taking precautions when using the tools is a necessity. However, with that being said, if you have little ones that are going to get involved with the carvings this year, extra precaution needs to be taken.

The general rule here is safety first. Always supervise your young ones if you feel that they are old enough to participate with the actual carvings this year. Just remember to take your time when carving and be mindful of the sharp tools.

Properly gutting the pumpkin

One of the most important safety tips is to make sure that the pumpkin has been gutted properly. You want to insure that there is not any hanging pulp inside the pumpkin that could possible catch on fire (especially if the pumpkin was dried out).

Candle safety

Here are a few safety tips you may want to use if you plan to use candles in your pumpkin.

1. Never leave the lit candle unintended.

2. Create a chimney in the pumpkin - Basically a chimney is a hole that is cutout from the pumpkin's upper back. The function of the chimney is to create an area that allows the heat from the candle's flame to escape from the pumpkin.

3. Place the candles in a glass jar and the glass jar inside the pumpkin. The glass jar should provide additional stability for the candle.

4. When you gut the pumpkin, make sure that the bottom of the pumpkin is completely flat. This will provide a more secure base to put the candle on.

5. Cut the bottom of the pumpkin out verses the top; you can place the candle on the floor and sit the pumpkin over it. If you do decide to cutout the bottom of the pumpkin, make sure that you are placing the candle on a secure floor that does not have a chance of catching on fire.

6. Never use a candle in an artificial pumpkin. They are flammable and artificial light should be used when lighting the pumpkin.

Carving pumpkins is a fun activity for the entire family. I few extra safety steps can help insure that everyone has a fun and safe holiday.

Gerald Gore is the author of the ebook Cool Pumpkins. Gerald is a self-taught sculptor that has used his sculpting skills to carve some amazing pumpkins. Visit http://www.cool-pumpkins.geraldgore.com if you would like to see some examples of Gerald's pumpkins and learn how to carve amazing pumpkins yourself.

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How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
By Sara Gray

Halloween is upon us and with that comes pumpkins and with pumpkins comes roasted pumpkin seeds! So, how do you roast pumpkin seeds and make them taste great?

Besides giving you a basic recipe, I'll also give you some great tips to guarantee a flavorful and healthy treat. Kids like them too!

Basic Recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:

What you'll need:
- seeds from a recently carved pumpkin
- 1 Tbsp. of butter (melted)
- Salt or Garlic salt to taste

Easy as 1-2-3...

Once you've carved your pumpkins, don't throw the gook away that you pull out of them. Separate the seeds from the pulp and set aside. Rinse the seeds in a colander and spread out on a flat surface to dry for 24 hours.

Tip: Drying the seeds overnight helps with the roasting. For some reason, I've found that the pumpkin seeds just roast better when they've been thoroughly dried. Also, drying the seeds help you to separate out any remaining pulp. At this point, it's easy to do.

Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees F.

Put your dried seeds in a bowl and pour the melted butter over them. Mix thoroughly. Salt the seeds to taste.

Now, take the seeds and spread them out on a cookie sheet, one layer thick. Place the pumpkin seeds in the oven and roast them for 45 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are crunchy.

Let the seeds cool for at least five minutes before you start nibbling. Then, put them in your scariest Halloween bowl and let the goblins munch. They will be gone before you know it. And if you do have left overs, simply store them in an airtight container.

Some additional things to do with roasted pumpkin seeds:
- Use them as a salad topping.
- Do you like peanut brittle? Try substituting roasted pumpkin seeds for the peanuts in your favorite brittle recipe.
- Instead of using salt, try using a sugar-cinnamon mixture to toss them with. They make a sweet treat!

Enjoy and have a happy and safe Halloween!

Sara Gray is an avid lover of appetizers (and anything really to do with food!) and has created a couple of fun and informative websites. Easy Appetizer Recipes is where you can find delicious ideas for all kinds of hot and cold appetizers, raclette grilling, tapas small plates, snacks, chips and dip ideas, and holiday appetizers. And Soup Hoopla! has everything you ever wanted to know about soup and fabulous recipes too.

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